“From the Makers’ Hands” aims to highlight the sometimes-overlooked individual contributions of the workers at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Factory. So often we find ourselves caught up in the beauty of the finished product that we forget to think about all the behind-the-scenes work necessary to produce such fine glassware. 

The inspiration for this Special Exhibit came about as we were in the process of updating the Museum’s database. This upgrade required our team to sort through collections and materials that had been tucked away for many years. During this time Olivia, our Curator of Collections, re-discovered an incredible collection that came to the museum back in 2004. This was the collection of Albert E. Shaw, a diligent and prominent collector of not only Sandwich Glass but materials related to the factory and its workers. Most notably in this collection are several journals of sketches and decorating supplies owned by Edward J Swann (pictured on the left).